A mistake on the tellers behalf- how does it affect me?

bonobo · #1 (**permalink**) 07-26-2010, 03:34 AM

I go to this particular check-cashing place once a month or so. I have never had anything like this occur... The following is my dilemma:

All of this is was done with one teller in one transaction at one location. This is a well-known chain of check-cashing, payday loans, and prepaid services .

1. I deposited a check onto a prepaid credit card (This card was issued by said check-cashing branch- Ive had it for months!!).

2. I then purchased a money order, the balance of which was to be taken from aforementioned prepaid credit card, right then and there, as is always done. I noticed the teller brought the money-order first, and the transaction was somewhat quick, but I thought nothing of it. The teller was friendly, she said thank-you and I left.

3. I found a voice-mail today from the branch. They tell me they have a question about my transaction with a teller the other day.

SO THEN...

4. Upon checking my pre-paid credit account online, I noticed the balance was that of my deposit only. They did not withdraw the money-order balance from my account as they should have at the time of transaction. There is no chance the check bounced, and no chance of anything being overdrawn (its pre-paid and besides, I have a high balance on it).

I want to know what my obligations are? I know the "right" thing to do, but this was obviously their mistake. So can I profit from their mistake?

I have not called the branch back yet. They left the message today, and did not go into anymore detail.

ADVICE please? Thank-you everyone- I am stumped on what to do!

Best wishes!!
bonobo

DavidBibby · #2 (**permalink**) 07-26-2010, 06:27 PM

bonobo,

If you have to ASK... the you know what the right thing to do is... and you should therefore do the right thing.

I don't know if in this situation that they can do anything to you.. but if it were me.. I'd rather not find out.

Go ahead and call the bank.. they called you, and they know the mistake that was made.

Hopefully the teller didn't get into too much trouble.. we'd feel really bad if he lost his job over it.

bonobo · #3 (**permalink**) 07-29-2010, 08:45 AM

Thank-you for your reply.

After the initial ecstasy when viewing an extra 1k on my card, realizing the tellers mistake, I felt high!! However every high has a come-down, and in this case, a reality check. Needless to say the reality check sucks, due to the stomach-turning unemployment rate and struggle here in CA. [On a personal note, it is especially for a completely independent starving student and artist such as myself. I envy the girls with daddys money.]

So I should and need to pay, however hesitant.

I wouldnt want my money-order to have a stop payment when my landlord cashes it. Surely, I think, legally speaking, despite my not being at fault, I owe the money. Shouldnt they have mentioned more specifically what the matter was rather than just a "regarding your transaction with one of our tellers the other day". Surely they owe me compensation for any fees I might be charged if indeed there is a stop-payment and my landlord charges me not only a fee, but in turn ruining any chance at reccomendation, tarnishing my rental history!!! They did not mention any urgency in the voicemail though, which makes me wonder. I did leave the balance on my card so they may debit it anytime, only Im not sure they can without my presence, not being your average bank but rather a branch of check-cashing and prepaid services.

I still cant help but wonder and dream if only this could play like a Monopoly game, for example, "Bank error in your favor - Collect $10".

Interesting situation though, you must admit?! And yes, I cannot help but wonder, after worrying about my own reprecussions of course, if the woman teller was suspended or fired. What a mistake, poor girl!

DavidBibby · #4 (**permalink**) 07-29-2010, 08:53 PM

A 1k mistake is a big one for a teller to make.

Even so.. I don't think that the branch manager is going to leave a message saying "Did you notice an extra 1k in your account?". Now if you had answered the phone personally.. they would probably mention it.

Have they tried to contact you again? If not.. the branch manager may have escalated their issue up the chain to the security dept.

If you haven't yet called them.. now might be a great time.

I agree with you.. if you spend it.. it might come back to bite you.

Hope all goes well..

David.

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